The Individual, Norms and Values (Basic Nigerian Norms and Values)

Introduction

The behaviour of an individual and the differences in their personality often stem from the

relationship between many different measures and association. Generally, the measures arise

from a single zone but sometimes they cover two examples, personality and ability or more

domains. An individual’s personality, values, and social norms are qualities that attribute to one’s

behavioural structure, or dimensionality, and also shape and guide his or her cultural views and

willingness to accept changes in societal values and norms. This means that there are various

ways and different measures available to understand an individual, their values and social norms,

each aspect, just as important. In assessing one’s personality traits, there are several well-

established latent dimensions to consider. For example, individual differences in personality are

often described today in terms of the Big Five personality traits (McCrae & Allik, 2002).

Similarly, there are several well-known dimensions within the areas of social attitudes, values,

and social norms.

In this chapter, we will be examining the relationship between individual personality, social

attitude, values and social norms and how these traits affect cultural values and beliefs in the

society. The Individual is distinct from species, classes or a social group and it has been known

that personality trait and social attitude make up the behaviour and psychological make-up of the

individual. The psychological personality of an individual centres mostly on the collection of

emotion, thought, and behaviour patterns unique to a person while the social attitude is the state

of mind of a person, their mood and the effect that mood has on the person’s thinking and

behaviour. According to research carried out on the social attitudes of an individual, results show

factors identifying pathologies of social attitude like authoritarianism, dogmatism,

Machiavellianism (Stankov, 1977; Stankov & Knezevic, 2005) or “anti-social” has been used to

describe such attitudes.

The Individual

The individual cannot be defined without critically examining his environment and cultural

views. From one angle, there are measures of personality traits that are traditionally seen as

being private and unique to the individual and on the other are cultural differences in personality

traits that may be related to social influences or, a strong biological basis. Different patterns of

these traits might have evolved if in a different society.

Also worthy of note is that there are ways a person perceives implicit and explicit rules and

regulations (social norms) that govern everybody within a society. In between these two

endpoints there are many other psychological constructs, two categories of which (social

attitudes and values) are included in the composition of the individual. Brief definitions of the

components relevant to the cultural and environmental make-up of an individual are as follows:

 Personality - which is a collection of emotion, thought, and behaviour patterns unique to a

person. These patterns are captured by statements that describe the way we “think, feel or

act.”

 Social attitudes - are states of mind, and/or feelings towards a specific object or social

interaction. They are captured by statements that elicit the expression of beliefs about what is

true, real, or good in social situations (Saucier, 2004).

 Values - are guiding principles and/or standards about some desirable end-state of existence

(Rokeach, 1973; Schwartz, 2003). They are criteria people use to evaluate others, themselves,

actions, and events.

The Concept of Norms

Norms and values are the necessary part of each and every society. We are not at all wrong, if we

consider them as the necessary pillars for social survival. Values are ideas held by individuals or

groups about what is desirable, proper, good or bad. An individual’s values are derived from the

specific culture of which he happens to be a member. Norms on the other hand, are generally

known as correct or proper forms of behavior. They are specific prescriptions of how an

individual ought to behave to be consistent with values of the contemporary society. Therefore,

norms can be seen as the reflection of values. If the students stand up when the teachers enters

into the class, this particular norm reflects the value of showing respect to the teachers. All

human groups follow definite types of norms, which are always backed by positive or negative

sanctions. A norm is a rule or standard that governs our behavior in the social situation in which

we act and operate. Norms are group-shared expectations. Such expectations are reflected in

statements such as: “good citizens always respect lives”, “younger ones must always respect

elderly people”.

Social norms are usually perceived as open, unceremonious or non-formal unwritten rules of

behaviour that are considered in a group or among members of a society. These norms give a

sense of a shared understanding of appropriate behaviour that gives continuity to societies.

Various scholars have described how social norms function in different cultures. Sociologists

have focused on social actions of individuals, how they interact and function and how they

motivate people to act (Durkheim 1950; Parsons 1937). What is more, since social norms are

seen as how we behave as individuals and how our actions strongly influence others. Social

norms are predictions, acts, thoughts and behaviours based of shared values and beliefs. Having

this in mind, it will be productive if groups in the society can use this measure as a way to solve
collective social problems in societies (Bicchieri, Muldoon, & Sontuoso, 2018). Most individuals

are influenced by their peers, whilst this is particularly true for young adults, they tend to drop

the negative behaviour such as smoking and drinking as they become adults. These social norms

can emerge in groups that spend time together and can also exist among people from different

cultures. Norms have in some way placed a huge expectation on the behaviours and attitudes of

individuals and to a large extent has made society function to hold us accountable to each other

for compliance, accountability and adherence to the principles that they envelop. However, the

social context of norms arises from the expectations that we can place on ourselves to comply

and the fact that the behaviour we display can represent our shared values and a sense of shared

identity (Brennan, Eriksson, Goodin & Southwood, 2013).

A norm is a pattern setting limits on individual behaviour. In this sense norms are unwritten

laws. Norms determine, guide, control and also predict human behaviour. Now, it is clear that

norms can be understood as unwritten rules and regulations that groups live by. Norms are the

means through which values are expressed in behaviour.

We make a distinction between personal or private norms and social norms. Private norms are

purely individual in character and they live with individuals only. They may influence only the

behaviour of the individual concerned. For instance, an individual may make some resolutions

on the New Year’s Day, he would stop smoking and decide to abide by it.

But in this context, we are more interested in social norms. Social norms are rules developed by

a group of people that specify as to how people should, and should not behave in various

situations. For instance, children must take parents’ permission to go out. Social norms are

always backed by societal sanctions. Sanctions can be negative or positive. In case of negative
sanction, the violators of norms suffer some penalties prescribed by the groups; while those who

abide by the norms are rewarded as a result of positive sanction. For instance, children who obey

their parents, do everything with their permission, are praised by everybody. But on the other

hand, children who do not listen to their parents are criticized by family members, etc. we can

say that a sanction is a reaction from others to the behaviour of an individual or group, which has

the aim of ensuring that a given norm is strictly adhered to or followed meticulously.

Sanction can also be formal or informal. Formal sanctions exist where there is a definite body of

people or an agency whose task is to ensure that a particular set of norms is positively followed.

The main types of formal sanctions in modern societies are those involved in the system of

punishment represented by agencies viz. the police, courts and prisons. Formal positive types of

sanctions are found in many other areas of social life, for example, the presentation of medals for

bravery, degrees or diplomas to recognize academic success, etc.

Informal sanctions, positive or negative, are routine features of every society. Those of a positive

type, include saying well done to someone, or giving the person an appreciative smile or a pat at

the back. Examples of negative informal sanctions are insulting, scolding or physically shunning

a given individual.

Characteristics of Norms

i. Norms are parts of society

ii. Norms are both positive and negative

iii. Norms are formal and informal

iv. Norms are related to sanctions

Importance of Norms

a. From the above discourse, it is clear that the concept of social norms constitutes the very

foundation of social structure. Norms govern the behavour of individuals and help in the

interactions that take place between them. They add some amount of regularity and

inevitability to our behavour. They help to mend our ways and regulate our daily life. No

individual can ignore social norms without incurring the disapproval of others.

b. Norms are an indispensable part of our life. In our daily life, we do a lot of work and interact

with a number of people. Without the norms, the individual would be faced with the burden

of taking decisions at every moment.

c. Norms give cohesion to society. The collective and cooperative life of people is made

possible because of norms. The normative system gives society an internal cohesion, without

which social life is not possible.

Types of Norms

Social norms are numerous and varied. They assumed different forms. They differ in terms of

severity and durability. Their influence and effect on individual society have not been uniform.

Therefore, there is no standard classification of the norms in the extant literature and each

scholar has presented a somewhat different list. We want to make two preliminary observations.

The first of these is that the norms are both prescriptive and proscriptive, prescriptive norms

dictate what people should do and proscriptive norms what people should not do. Frequently, the

prescriptions and proscriptions come in pairs; that is, we are required to do something and

forbidden not to do something, we are required to wear clothes in our society and forbidden to go

naked on the street.

The second observation is that some of the norms pervade in entire society and others, less

pervasive, prevail only in certain groups. We shall call the former communal norms and latter

associational norms. An example of communal norm would the custom of shaking hands upon

meeting a new acquaintance, a custom that appears throughout our society, in all groups and

social classes. The example of associational norm would be the custom of wearing red cap

among the Igbos and it applies to the members of upper class but not the all other social classes.

These two ways of classifying norms as prescriptive or proscriptive and as communal or

associational represent categories that cross each other. However, all the norms may be

subsumed under five major concepts – folkways, mores, custom, taboos and laws - which we

shall discuss here.

a. Folkways: They are customs that groups in a society follows. They are norms that originate

from causal interactions and from repetitions and routine. These customs are not inherent in

an individual but are learned simply by seeing what other member of a society does. They

can be unspoken or implied and becomes a part of an individual as he grows up. Examples

are saying thanks when someone does you a favour or closing ones’ mouth when they yawn.

b. Mores: Mores are practices, customs or traditions that stem from ‘morality’. If an individual

does anything outside of what society considers a mores then such a person is seen as

immoral or lacking moral norms. Some mores are illegal (making them a law) while others

are not. Example is gossip, belittlement which is frowned upon and considered immoral but

not illegal. Generally, however, a more is distinguished as something that is obviously right

or wrong. The punishment for breaking a more can be ostracism by your community,

friends, church and other social groups.

c. Customs: Another kind of social norms, are socially accepted ways in which people do things

together in personal contact. Our accepted procedures or practices of eating, meeting people,

playing, walking, etc. can be called custom. Custom preserves our culture and transmits it to

the next generation. They have added stability and certainty to our social life. Customs are

found in all communities of the world, no society can do without them. Therefore, custom

acts as an effective means of social control. Individuals can hardly escape their grip. Customs

also provide the background for the formulation and establishment of rules. Customs become

laws when state enforces them as rules to be abided by the citizens.

d. Taboos: Taboos are ‘negative norms’ – acts that people find offensive and socially improper

if you are caught doing them. They are social norms in a society that are considered to be

traumatic or shocking if you break them. They are often things that no one talks about

because they are so embarrassing and socially unacceptable. Examples of taboo in Nigerian

culture include but not limited to incest, adultery, religious sacrilege, etc.

e. Laws: Laws are cultural and social norms put in place by the state to maintain lawful orders,

and keep the peace in societies. These laws are important and put in place to regulate

unlawful and illegal behaviours of social groups. If you are found to have broken the law,

you could be fined or even go to jail. Common examples are: laws pertaining to violence

against others, theft, and damage to property, murder among others.

Normlessness

Normlessness is a sense of detachment from existing social norms or rules, mostly society

functions in an orderly fashion. A good number of people conform to the norms of their

respective groups unconsciously. Thus, ordinarily people do what is expected from them by

society. This keeps the society running smoothly. But this is not always the case. In a state where
existing social norms contradicts each other or face a collapse, people feel detach from their own

fellows. This is a state when there exists lesser consensus or a lack of certainty on values or

goals. At those moments people have little commitments to shared norms, and lack societal

guidelines for personal conduct. They are inclined to pursue their private preferences without

regard to the interest of the society as whole. Social control becomes ineffective. Hence, the

society is threatened with disorganization. This situation is called anomie.

The Concept of Values

There is no much differentiation between values and norms. One is often confused for the other.

Values are broad ideas regarding what is desirable, correct, and good that most members of a

society share. Values define social preferences, specify societal choice, and provide a vision for

future action. Individuals’ values are strongly influenced by their specific culture. Social

structure, social institutions are followed by a change in social values and also vice versa. Values

are principles or standards that govern an individual’s behaviour. It is a scale to measure what is

‘inside of a person’ or their worth, whereas norms and cultural practices are perceived to be

‘outside the person’, something to adjust or conform to (Premack, 1959). An example is the norm

of toothbrushing. At first, toothbrushing is enforced from the outside. After a while, children

routinize toothbrushing and may even feel uncomfortable when they are not able to brush their

teeth.

Another differentiation is that values are related to accepted notions of right and wrong or what

is ethical, noble, righteous, and virtuous but because they are implied sanctions, they are not

directly related to behaviour. Values may be categorized into systems of thinking and a way of

behaving motivated by two factors - religion and culture (Gelfand & Harrington). Values can be

viewed as what a person finds important in life that functions as ‘guiding principles in behaviour’
and how those values can be used in the decision-making agents of daily life activities (Poel &

Royakkers, 2011).

According to Kluckhohn (1951) a value is a conception, explicit or implicit, distinctive of an

individual or characteristic of a group, of the desirable, which influence the selection from

available modes, means and ends of action. Plato classified values into three categories - Truth,

Goodness and Beauty. Ralph Barton Perry (1914) believes that value in the generic sense has to

do with a certain constant that we may call bias or interest.

Values are codes or general principles guiding the behaviour of a person; it is not necessarily

what is done but how it was done and perceived in the group or society. Thus, two societies can

both set out to achieve something and successfully get it done but their methods and actions

taken may differ tremendously in their norms as to what to achieve, how to achieve, and the

means to achieving the goal. A value system presents what is expected and what is hoped for,

what is required and what is forbidden. It does not report actual behaviour of an individual but

rather is a benchmark by which behaviour is judged and sanctions applied.

A value is like a structure that verifies likes and dislikes, what feels pleasant and unpleasant, and

what is deemed a success or failure. Values and value systems are often evoked as rationales for

action; for example, values of freedom and equality were evoked to check the abuse of power,

rise in power and greed in the Nigerian judicial system. Values differ from goals in that values

provide a general rationale for more specific goals and motivate attainment of goals through

particular methods. Cultural values however may be said to provide concrete and social

embodiments of values. Thus, if cultural values are mobilized or made predominant, they also
predict behaviour and choices of groups and to some extent, of individuals within these groups

(Daphna, 2017).

The value tests of Allport and Vernon are based on Sprangler’s classification of values into six

classes.

(i) Theoretical values – In simple terms measures the intrinsic values of what is right.

(ii) Economic values – Considers the benefit derived from doing good.

(iii) Aesthetic values – Assigns value to an object based on its appearance and one’s emotional

and cultural significance.

(iv) Social values – It is the standard that individuals and social groups use to determine their

social goals whether individually or collectively i.e., what is acceptable or not and is

desirable or not.

(v) Political values – They are values or ideologies that individuals and groups have that explain

how society should work and offer some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social

order.

(vi) Religious value – These are values that provide a set of moral and ethical principles that

guide behaviour and decision-making processes in society (Archana, 2020).

With the advent of civilization and more societies having certain characteristics of cultural and

technological development, there is not just one value system but more than one. There is

multiple, overlapping and sometimes opposing value systems in the same society. At times it

becomes impossible to pursue some values without violating others e.g. one might want to

uphold certain morals in society but end up becoming a deviant and getting involved in social

vices like robbery, pocket picking, thuggery, internet fraud, and premarital sexual activity. This

clash or conflict of value may arise because one has to sacrifice survival for dishonesty.
Importance of Values

Values are important for the following reasons:

i. Values provide stability in group interaction. They hold the society together because they are

shared in common. Since they are shared, the members of a society are likely to see others as

“people like themselves”.

ii. Values bring legitimacy to the rules that govern specific activities. The rules are accepted

and followed because they embody the values.

iii. Values help to bring about some kind of adjustment between different sets of rules. For
instance, if Nigeria cherishes the value of equality then they will have to modify the rules
governing the interpersonal relationships between husband and wife and man and woman or
between social classes.

Characteristics of Values

 Value is a matter of faith and belief

 Values are abstract as they have cognitive elements

 Values are formative in nature

 Values are general ideas which people share

 Values are related to the emotions and sentiments

 Values are the bases for the choices of things

 Values are relatively permanent

 Values bring cohesiveness in society

 Values are motivated for public welfare

 Values have hierarchy in order

Kinds of Values

Values can be classified as they have hierarchy in order. We generally say that values are found

everywhere. Value are humanistic in nature. They are varied. Radhakamal Mukherjee discusses

two types of values.

First instantaneous values are worldly in nature which may be observed in day to day life.

Second, supernatural values are related to the salvation of human being. However, we would like

to discuss general types of values. They are:

a. Moral Values – Every society has different types of moral values. They are not scientific.

They are related to the religion and different situations of society. For instance, respect to the

parents, do not steal things, and don’t tell a lie. Society does not allow for the violation of

such values.

b. Rational Values – They are scientific and logical in nature viz. Hard working is a rational

value of modern society.

c. Aesthetic Values – They are related to the literature, art, culture and Music. Black in colour

are the signs of beautiful women in Nigerian society.

However, all these values represent six categories of values:

i. Dominant value - The value which has strong impact in the mind of a person and violation of

such value is not possible for him.

ii. Variant value – The value in which the person has the freedom to behave according to his

desires and choices.

iii. Personal Values: denote those values which the individual cherish and desire irrespective of

his social relationship. The individual defines his standards of attainment and accomplishes

these goals without direct interaction and involvement of others.

iv. Social Values: are those values which focus on society. People practiced social values

because of their relationship with other people. Unlike personal values, they necessitate the

interaction of two or more people.

v. Spiritual Values: refer to ethical values. It arises from the inner depth dimension of man. It

confers the ability to see what is wrong and the truth. It is like a key to the integration of

man.

vi. Behavioural Values: These are all the good manners that are needed to make life successful,

meaningful and joyous. They are exhibited through one’s behaviour in his daily life. These

values adorn life and spread friendliness cordially.

Sources of Values System

i. Life Experience: Numerous values originate out of the personal experiences of the

individual and those of others. Man always determines what values they must follow to find

happiness and fulfill their destiny as human beings.

ii. Cultural Background: Our values are usually grounded in the core values of our culture,

which reflect the culture’s orientation of beliefs of child-rearing and social control, the

attitude to take nature as fatalistic or seeing it as a challenge to be conquered in the interest of

man’s comfort, the question whether man should live for the present or the future, the kind of

activity most valued; and the type of interpersonal relationship whether it is competitive or

cooperative.

iii. Religious Background: The pursuit of true religion is also concerned with values. Many

fundamental values are common to all faiths. The indigenous people of Nigeria had certain

cosmological ideas, which formed the basis of their system of values. Central to the

Nigerian’s view of the world, and the place of man in it, was the belief that the universe was
 peopled by spirits, some great, some small, some benevolent, but many more were

malevolent. All of them were capable of swift and often vindictive anger. The supreme

Being, the Allah of the Moslems, the Chineke of the Igbos, the Olorun of the Yorubas, and

the Abassi of the Ibibios, and also the Ifa, the Fenigbeso, the Ojukwu, and a host of other

deities and spirits either inhabited or were guardians of land, sea, and air as well as

everything in them.

iv. Scientific background: It helps us make value judgments only to the extent to which we

relate it to value assumptions. New information on the scientific front need not pose a threat

even if it involves a change in the current frame of reference.

Relationship between Norms and Values

Values may be defined as a measure of goodness and desirability. They provide general

guidelines for conduct. In this sense they are often referred to as “higher order norms”. But

norms are given much more specific meaning. They define appropriate and acceptable behaviour

in particular situations. Values are cherished only through the observance of norms. The

relationship between the two can be made clear by the following example. A society may cherish

the value of “privacy”. This value provides only a general guide to behaviour. Norms define how

the value of “privacy” is translated into action in particular situations and circumstances. For

example, norms relating to privacy may insist that people’s letters must not be opened without

permission, etc. A person’s private or individual life is his own concern and others must not

interfere into the personal matters. In this way a series of norms direct how people should behave

in terms of the value of ‘privacy’.

Basic National Values in Nigeria

Every human society has specific characteristics of its people that distinguish the

inhabitants from other society. The Nigeria value system is the beliefs, standards, principles

about the right and wrong in the society. Basic values in Nigeria are, respect and honour for

elders; regard and appreciation for one’s family and benefactors; self-control and courtesy;

virtues of forgiveness; harmony and peaceful coexistence; diligence and industry; truth and

honesty; unity and cooperation. Like most aspects of culture, the value system is non-material.

Compared to culture and norm, it varies according to society over time. The core value of the

Nigeria society was discipline, honesty, hard work, accountability, loyalty, respect for the

elderly, truthfulness, among others (Enu & Esu, 2011).

a. Honesty: Honesty implies being frank, direct, open or even straight. It entails standing up for

what you believe in no matter whose pride gets in the way. It means not contradicting oneself

in thoughts, words and actions. Isichei and Bolaji (2017) define honesty as “the awareness of

what is right and appropriate in one’s role, one’s behaviour and one’s relationship”.

b. Respect: This is an acknowledgement of the inherent worth and innate rights of the

individual and collectively (Isichei & Bolaji, 2017).

c. Respect for elders: is another value shared among members of a social organization in terms

of reverence shown to elders which becomes part of the seniority principle in our society and

age is highly valued.

d. Cooperation: The Bible asks a salient question in Amos 3: 3; Can two people work together

if they do not agree? The most logical answer is No. This is because one person will always

drawback the other. For persons to work together to accomplish set objectives, they must
 learn to appreciate their differences, accommodate their weaknesses and pull together their

strengths.

e. Tolerance: Means being receptive to the beauty of differences while cooperation is simply

identified as team work. Brotherliness involves mutual understanding resulting from mutual

respect while cooperation involves mutually beneficial relations.

f. Hard-work: Traditional societies cherished the virtues of hard work and functionalism.

Everything these societies did was geared towards inculcating these values in the younger

generations.

g. Respect for human life and patience: Human life has always been sacred or sacrosanct.

Life has always been important and the dignity of persons has been pursued because the

origin of life has been linked with “gods” or “deities”. Human belief in the ultimate power of

“immortal gods” has caused men to have great respect for human life and regard persons

with dignity.

h. Patriotism: This is the love, devotion to one’s country which might or might not be the

native land of the patriot.

i. Loyalty: is allegiance to the sovereign government of one’s country, personal reverence to

the sovereign and the royal family.

j. Dedication to duty: is the act of binding intellectual or emotional to a course of action, total

commitment to public service allegiance and loyalty.

k. Truth (Eziokwu): For the Igbo, the truth is the major strand that wields society together.

Without truth there was no need for human society.

l. Justice: Justice is an important notion in Nigerian traditional morality. The traditional idea of

justice frowns at marginalization and the increasing level of poverty as a result of the unjust
 distribution of abundant natural resources in the country. This has led to persistent conflict in

the Niger Delta region. The militants there have continued to pressurize the Federal

Government to give them fair share of the petroleum resources from their land.

m. Character: this provides the means by which man regulates his life to avoid conflict with the

supernatural forces and also to be able to live in harmony with his fellow men.

The Custodians of the National Values

 The Parents (Family Unit): The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society, a

primary socialization institution. Socialization is the creation of shared beliefs and ideals that

lead to the norms of the family and help indicate to family members how one should interact

within a society.

 School: Education is the single most valuable investment in the life of a child and society at

large. The institutions that impart knowledge therefore play a very critical role in national

development.

Factors Affecting Value Incubation in Nigeria

While it is right to abide by the basic values listed above for national development to take

place, many factors appeared to have continued to hinder the attainment of the above objectives

in the Nigerian society. The fundamental factors affecting value orientation in the county are

social change challenge, bribery and corruption, child labour, family instability, election

irregularities, examination malpractices, unemployment, religious conflict, environmental

degradation, poverty, insecurity and globalization as well as technological advancement.